Is wrapping paper recyclable? The answer is both YES and NO, making it a bit complicated. But why is it challenging for even experts to provide a straightforward response? Let’s expose the reasons behind this tricky question.
This is because wrapping papers are not created equally. Some of its types can be recycled and some not, just because of their preservatives.
If a gift wrap is made with an environmentally friendly material, it is recyclable. And if a gift wrap is made with metallic paper, it is not recyclable.
The sparkly, shimmering, glittery, foil, and shiny paper is not a sustainable material, so not recyclable.
Let’s explore how we can find a greener and reusable alternative to save our environment and planet.
What is Wrapping Paper?
Wrapping paper is a thin paper used for wrapping gifts and products. It comes in rolls or sheets with various designs and colors to suit different occasions like birthdays, holidays, you name it. This paper makes any product appear luxurious and a gift.
It is made of robust, sturdy, and recyclable Kraft paper. Wrapping paper is found in a variety of shapes and is used to wrap gifts, food items, party favors, or other products.
It has a thickness from 3pt to 8pt and provides more protection. Furthermore, it is available in roll (24” wide) with varying lengths up to 450”. It can be plain or with designs, logos, graphics, texture, and text printed on it.
Usually, plain paper made with such a material can be recycled. On the other hand, paper designed with decorations, made with plastic coating or laminate is not recyclable.
What Type of Wrapping Paper Can be Recycled?
A wrapping paper made of kraft paper is recyclable. It is 100% recyclable paper made with wood pulp. Plain paper even if it is designed, glossy paper, and a wrapper that passes the scrunch test is recyclable.
Now you might be thinking about what I can do with unwanted paper wrap. You may recycle it or throw it away so it can be reused.
What Type Of Wrappers Cannot Be Recycled?
A wrapper of glittery paper, laminated or coated with a thin layer of plastic, or with non-paper additives or foil decorations, and has a sticky tape attached to it is not recyclable.
If you are still thinking about why wrappers can't be recycled, the answer to this query is that the paper is made with metallic material, and that’s why it is not recyclable.
How To Identify If A Paper Is Recyclable?
To know whether wrapping paper is recyclable or not, here are a few things to keep in mind. Plain and non-laminated paper is more likely recyclable because it is made from recyclable materials and is not too thin.
If you find shiny or glittery paper with metallic finishes, it is non-recyclable. Simply test it by scrunching it. If the paper turns into a ball, it is most probably recyclable. If not, then obviously it is not recyclable.
Some paper is very thin, but don’t worry, keeping these simple tips in mind can help you identify the recallability of the paper, even when selecting custom soap wrapping paper.
How To Recycle A Wrapping Paper?
Before recycling wrapping paper, remove certain elements such as ribbons, bows, gift tags, tape, strings, and other decorative components, then throw them in the recycle bin.
It is difficult to sort out recyclable and non-recyclable papers when they are thrown together in the recycle bin. You better classify them first and then throw them out.
Is It Easy To Recycle Wrapping Papers?
Yes, it is convenient to recycle. First, check if the paper is made with a recyclable material. Around 80% of waste can be reused or recycled. Plain paper and paper gift bags can be placed in the recycling bin.
Wrappers and gift wrapping bags come in various shapes and varieties but they are less recyclable. A plain wrapping printed with a design is recyclable. At the same time, the glitter-embellished paper is thrown out.
The same thing is with the ribbons, bows, and string, they are not recyclable. Is wrapping paper recyclable or compostable? This question comes to mind often, but you know it is easy to recycle paper that is made with biodegradable material.
Is Christmas Gift Wrap Recyclable?
Christmas is an annual festival to celebrate the birthday of Jesus. It is a day of Christ's birthday celebration, gift-giving, and joy. People use gift paper wrapping to wrap their presents.
A large number of Christmas paper wrappers do not pass the recycling test. We have already discussed the test to detect and identify the recyclable nature of the paper. Most of the Christmas gift wrappers are made with metallic coatings, foil, glitters, sparkly, shimmering, or other plastic contents. Therefore, they are not recyclable.
But still, you may find recyclable Christmas wrapping paper as well in the market. So if you are eco-conscious and love greener holidays, check the paper quality that clearly states if it is recyclable or not.
Some brands may offer 100% recycled gift wrap options because they also believe in green. So make a smart Christmas gift wrapper choice and enjoy this special occasion with joy and gift-giving.
The Environmental Impact of Non-Recyclable Wrapping Paper
Non-recyclable wrapping paper poses several environmental challenges. They pose challenges like increased landfill waste, resource depletion, chemical pollution, wildlife hazards, and many more.
Increased Landfill Waste
Wrapping paper and gift bags account for a significant portion of holiday waste. According to research, over 50% of wrapping paper ends up in landfills each year.
Materials like metallic finishes, glitter, and plastic coatings do not decompose easily, and they lead to long-term environmental pollution.
Resource Depletion
The production of wrapping paper consumes large amounts of trees, water, and energy. The research says recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees. Deforestation and high carbon emissions contribute to climate change.
Chemical Pollution
The wrapping paper that is not recyclable contains chemical pollution. Inks and dyes used in non-recyclable papers can contain harmful chemicals.
These chemicals may leach into soil and waterways, affecting wildlife and ecosystems.
Wildlife Hazards
Non-recyclable paper wraps are a great threat to wildlife. Animals can mistake small bits of wrapping material for food. So, the ingestion can lead to injury, illness, or death of wildlife.
Choosing Biodegradable Wrapping Paper and Sustainable Cause
Choosing a natural brown Kraft biodegradable wrapping paper can either be thrown into the recycling bin and formed into something new or tossed into the trash.
The reason behind the biodegradable feature of brown Kraft paper is its sturdiness. It can be reused for coloring or sketching.
And if you don’t need Kraft paper anymore, you can throw it away. Neither it will affect the earth nor pollute the environment.
Reuse Wrappers To Save Money and The Planet
A wrapping paper does not have enough life span and it can be reused several times if it is stored with care without tearing. If we look at the recent search for annual production of wrappers in the USA, it is 4.6 million pounds.
And out of 4.6 million pounds, half 2.3 million pounds of wrappers were thrown into the trash. The remaining wrappers are being reused. This indicates how much importance this Recyclable Soap Wrapping Paper material has.
The stats shared above have the answer to this. You may reuse it This way, people are saving their money by reusing instead of buying a new one.
Besides this, people likely consider reusable gift bags rather than using reusable gift wrapping. Because reusable gift bags are a good alternative.
How to Dispose of Wrapping Paper Sustainably
Where can I dispose of non-recyclable wrapping paper in a way that minimizes any potential issues?
To dispose of wrapper paper sustainably you must identify recyclable wrapper paper, prepare the wrapper for recycling, check local recycling guidelines, if it is reusable, reuse it before disposing of it, compost it when possible, and upcycle wrapping paper.
And for the next time, choose the greener alternatives and also educate and encourage others to use recyclable wrapping paper.
Step 1: Identify Recyclable Wrapping Paper
To identify the recyclable wrapping paper, perform a scrunch test and avoid non-recyclable materials.
You have to crumple the wrapping paper into a ball. If it stays crumpled, it's likely recyclable. If it unfolds or springs back, it may contain non-recyclable materials like plastic or metallic fibers.
Then, wrapping papers with glitter, metallic finishes, or plastic coatings are generally not recyclable. Set aside for alternative disposal methods.
Step 2: Prepare Wrapping Paper for Recycling
Now is the time to prepare wrapper paper. So, remove Non-Paper Additions like tape, ribbons, bows, or other decorations. These items can contaminate the recycling process.
And, flatten the paper to make it easier to process and save space in your recycling bin.
Step 3: Check Local Recycling Guidelines
It is time to check local recycling guidelines. Consult your municipality for the guidelines. If your area requires separation of paper types, make sure to sort your wrapping paper appropriately.
Step 4: Reuse Before Recycling
It is better to save for future use than dispose of it. Multiple uses can extend the life of the paper and reduce waste.
Step 5: Compost When Possible
If the wrapping paper is plain and free of heavy inks or dyes, it can be torn into small pieces and added to your compost bin.
Always remember, do not compost paper with glitter, foil, or plastic coatings. These can introduce toxins into your compost.
Step 6: Upcycle Wrapping Paper
For disposal purposes, you can also cut out designs from the wrapping paper to make unique gift tags for future presents. You can make origami, paper chains, or other decorations.
Step 7: Choose Sustainable Alternatives Next Time
When you use wrapping paper next time, opt for recyclable materials. Make use of eco-friendly options such as fabric wraps, reusable gift bags, or recyclable Kraft paper for wrapping gifts.
Step 8: Educate and Encourage Others
The last thing you have to do is to spread the word about using recyclable paper wrap. Share these tips with friends and family to promote sustainable practices.
Top 5 Eco-Friendly Alternatives to Traditional Wrapping Paper
What are some other wrapping papers that are completely eco-friendly and recyclable? Here are the top 5 eco-friendly alternatives to non-renewable wrapping paper you can use on many occasions.
1. Fabric Wraps (Furoshiki)
Furoshiki wrapping paper comes from Japan. It is a traditional wrapping cloth used for transporting goods and gifts. It is completely reusable, and versatile, and adds a personal touch to your gifts.
Not only that, but it is the perfect alternative to non-recyclable wrapping paper. So, choose organic cotton or recycled fabrics for an even greener option.
2. Reusable Gift Bags
Reusable gift bags are cloth or sturdy paper bags designed to be used multiple times. They reduce waste and come in various sizes and designs suitable for any occasion.
So, we recommend opting for bags made from recycled materials.
3. Recycled Kraft Paper
Recycled Kraft paper is a simple brown paper that's biodegradable and recyclable. It offers a rustic look and can be personalized with stamps, drawings, or natural twine.
For special occasions and events, you can decorate with dried flowers or leaves for an eco-friendly embellishment.
4. Old Newspapers and Maps
Old newspaper and map papers can be a perfect alternative to non-recyclable wrappers. Repurposing newspapers, comic strips, or outdated maps as wrapping material can benefit you a lot.
This gives a vintage feel and promotes the recycling of paper products. For special events, use colorful comic pages for children's gifts.
5. Baskets and Boxes
Instead of nonrenewable wrappers, present gifts in reusable containers like baskets, tins, or wooden boxes.
The packaging becomes part of the gift and can be reused for storage or decor. The line basket with a cloth napkin or scarf for added surprise.
Final Words
So whether wrapping paper is recyclable or not is answered. Simple, plain, and uncoated paper is recyclable. Whereas, the wrapper paper with laminations, glitters, and embellishments that can not pass the scrunch test are non-recyclable.
If you want to reduce gift wrap waste and handle holiday wraps, try using recyclable paper and play your part in supporting ecologically clean and green. I hope this guide has answered several questions.
And now, if you have planned on getting recyclable wrapper paper or eco-friendly customized packaging, look no further than Custom Designs Boxes.
We are a high-ranking Eco-friendly Custom Packaging Supplier in the USA and Canada, offering free shipment, free design assistance, quick turnaround, and many other free perks.
So, protect your environment with sustainable and nature-friendly wrapping paper that is not harmful to the earth. Choose recyclable wrapping papers for party favors or gifts so they can be reused later on and our earth can remain environmentally safe.
